LEGAL WEDDINGS – REQUIREMENTS
We offer you the possibility to celebrate your civil wedding ceremony in French Polynesia in the islands of Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora. It will be performed in the town hall (of the commune chosen) by the mayor and will be officially and legally recognized. As your wedding planner we will be pleased to coordinate with the city hall the administrative paperwork in French Polynesia. We provide you the information you need to know in order to apply for the civil ceremony and successfully complete the file required.
Please note that during all the process, only the city hall will be the competent authority to approve and validate the required documents.
Important: The legal wedding ceremony must take place in a city hall. It cannot be organized on a beach or any other place.
Here under the conditions to be met by the spouses and all the documents they will need to provide and send by express mail (Fedex).
Nota: Original documents are required to officially validate the file with the city hall. However copies can be sent at first for check.
A – COMPULSORY CONDITIONS TO BE MET BY BOTH SPOUSES FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CIVIL MARRIAGE
– Be single, widowed or divorced
– Be 18 years of age or more on the wedding day
– Not be related
– Nationality: not having resident status in France or its territories; dual nationality is acceptable except in the case of French citizenship of one of the two spouses. In this situation, the requirement of a minimum 1 month residency in French Polynesia prior to the wedding remains applicable.
– Witnesses accompanying the spouses can be either of French or other nationality. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
– Both spouses must be physically present during the marriage ceremony to give their consent.
– Legal wedding between 2 persons of same sex also authorized in French Polynesia to the condition that this is also legalized in the couple’s residence country.
– Transsexuals not accepted.
We must provide all documents to the Town Hall no later than 60 days before the date of the ceremony; we therefore ask to receive them no later than 70 days before the date of the ceremony in order to verify all the documents.
B – REQUESTED DOCUMENTS FOR THE FUTURE SPOUSES
Some of the required documents MUST be translated in French and authenticated as clearly mentioned in the below list. Other documents do not need to be translated.
– Proof of identity of both of the future spouses: copy of the passport.
– Full copy of the Birth Certificate of both future spouses: the certificates must have been issued less than 6 months prior to the date of the marriage. If issued by a foreign authority, the certificate must be translated in French and authenticated in conformity with the applicable provisions of the country of origin.
– Proof of residence for both of the future spouses (electricity or telephone invoice…). These documents provide evidence that the future spouses do not reside in France or its territories.
– A letter signed and dated by both future spouses; addressed to the mayor of the commune chosen for the marriage ceremony (the model form will be provided in French with the English translation).
– The « Marriage of foreign citizens in French Polynesia » Form, duly filled (the form will be provided).
– Celibacy certificate proving the capacity to marry legally: the certificate must be translated in French and authenticated in conformity with the provisions applicable in the spouses’ country of origin. (Depending on the country, a customary certificate will be issued).
– If applicable, Death Certificate of the former spouse for widows or widowers: the certificate must be translated in French and authenticated in conformity with the provisions applicable in the spouses’ country of origin.
– If applicable, Final Decree of Divorce translated in French and authenticated in conformity with the provisions applicable in the spouses’ country of origin.
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– If applicable, Marriage contract or Notary Certificate, if the spouses have drawn up a marriage contract. Translated in French and authenticated if drawn up overseas. (According to French law, if no marriage contract is established, the Joint Ownership of assets limited to those assets acquired during marriage will automatically apply by default).
– Certificate of publication and non opposition to marriage, issued by a French Consulate or a Foreign Authority, applicable in the following countries only: Andorra, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Congo, Spain, Greece, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Lesotho, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Mauritius, Monaco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Marine, Switzerland, Chad, Togo.
The couple to be married is responsible for obtaining their birth certificates & other necessary document, get them translated and authenticated at their cost.
If the above mentioned documents provided as required by French law, do not allow for the Mayor to verify that all the required conditions are met (for example, in some countries there is no mention in the margin of the Birth Certificate that indicates the existence of a previous marriage), he may request any additional document for that purpose or a customary certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin.
C – REQUESTED DOCUMENTS FOR THE WITNESSES
Proof of identity of both witnesses: Copy of the passport and the “witnesses form” duly completed (the form will be provided).
If future spouses do not travel with any witnesses our staff can act as witnesses and will transmit necessary documents to the Mayor.
VERY IMPORTANT! An interpreter must be present during the ceremony to translate the Mayor’s speech and ensure that the bride and groom understand everything (in the case they are not French-speaking). Languages available: English, Spanish, Italian, German; services must be confirmed upon reservation.
D – THE DELAYS
We must provide all original documents to the Town Hall no later than 60 days before the date of the ceremony; we therefore ask to receive them by express mail Fedex no later than 70 days before the date of the ceremony in order to verify all the documents.
E – THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
The city Hall will remit to clients the following documents:
– Marriage certificate to be legalized at Papeete courthouse *
– Family record book
Our wedding coordinator will ensure that the marriage certificate will be legalized by Papeete prosecutor before remitting it to clients before they leave French Polynesia. If clients do not collect their wedding certificate before their international departure, this will be mailed to clients (service charged at extra cost).
Please note that once back home, the spouses are responsible for contacting the national authorities of their city of residence (town hall or French Embassy) to legalize their French marriage under the laws and regulations of their country.